Note:Reformatted for easier viewing.

Enjoy.

Chapter Three

Liara went into the conference room while Shepard went up to the cockpit to see Joker. Of course, he was sitting in his usual spot looking over reports. "Joker, do you ever sleep in a bunk? Or do you miss EDI's company?", Shepard asked jokingly.

"Very funny Commander," comments Joker.

"Joker, set a course to the Citadel. Keep the comm on so you get the info from the meeting. I am sure you are going to love it.", Shepard smirks some then turns and walks away.

"Aye, aye, Commander", Joker starts getting ready to leave Earth's orbit and plots a course for the Citadel.

Shepard steps into the conference room and sees that everyone is there. "Thanks you everyone for being on time. I am sure you are all wondering what is the purpose of this meeting. We are headed now to the Citadel to finish the repairs to the Normandy. Once those repairs are complete. The Council has requested that all of us go on a good will tour across both Citadel and Terminus space. The Council has already sent a list of places they want us to help out. I still am not sure how this is going to work, but we are to try and set up trade between planets if possible. Help out any colonies we can. We stay in one place as long as needed or until I say it is time to leave. This mission if you can call it that is going to last at a year." Shepard stops talking to allow everyone to soak in what the Council is wanting from them.

Dr. Chakwas was the first to say something, "Commander, which planets or colonies are we talking about?" "

Palaven, Thessia, Sur'Kesh, Illium, Horizon, Eden Prime, Elysium. Terra Nova, Zhu's Hope, and many others.", was Shepard's answer. "I am sure this list will change throughout the next year and I have a feeling this little tour will last longer than a year. And Tali, don't worry, we will check on the Migrant Fleet, I promise. It might not be listed, but I won't let the Council tell me the only places we can go. Any other questions?" Shepard looks around the room.

Garrus shakes his head and goes, "Why is the Council wanting us do to this? What is the purpose really?"

"They seem to think the rest of the galaxy seeing us an Alliance vessel with a mix species crew can inspire and give hope that was can rebuild and have peace." Leia just shrugged her shoulders. "I really don't know Garrus, it is not making much sense to me, but they really want us to do this, so I agreed." Garrus just nodded still not understanding, but then the rest of the crew doesn't get it either.

"Dismissed." was the last thing Shepard said and everyone went back to their stations. "Kaidan, I would like to speak to you for a moment."

"Sure, Shepard. What do you need?" relied Alenko.

"I am going to hibernate in my quarters until we reach the Citadel, you are in charge of things until then." Shepard nods at him.

"Aye, aye, Commander." Kaidan snaps off a salute in which Shepard returns. Both leave the Comm Room.

Leia then retired back to her quarters and got out of her uniform and put on a pair of N7 shorts and a blue t-shirt. She picks up the data pad with the message from the Citadel on it still not sure how this tour of theirs was going to work. After reading it again, it gets tossed on to a table, Leia puts her feet up and relaxes in a chair enjoying the music playing in the cabin. Toes moving to the beat of the music, Shepard just thinks of what she wants exactly she wants in life after this tour. She knows for sure once this tour is over she is going to retire from both the Alliance Military and as a Council Spectre. I'm tired of fighting, tired of placing others people life in danger. I know for certain that I want to marry Liara. But is that what she wants? Where to settle down? Does she want to continue to be the Shadow Broker even though Feron has been running things the past few months? Just talk to her and quit hiding out in your cabin! Not more than two seconds later, Liara arrives with...her things? Heart just skipped a little.

"Leia, I was thinking last night while waiting for you to finish giving your mother the tour of the Normandy, that it would be a good idea to move in up here with you and let Staff Commander Alenko have that office. If you think that is acceptable to the others." Holy shit, Leia, you have thought about telling her that. Maybe she does want the same things I do, thinks Shepard as Liara spoke.

The Commander smiles, "I was planning on asking you that, but wasn't sure if you wanted to do so. I put the Normandy in Alenko's hand until we reach the Citadel. Which should take a few days. I have been wanting to talk to you actually." Leia gets off the couch and takes the handful of Liara's things and places them on the desk next to her medals. Turns back around and takes Liara's hands into her own. Feeling the softness of Liara's skins send shivers down her own. Intertwining their fingers together, Shepard leads Dr. T'Soni to the sofa. Liara kisses Shepard's lips softly slowly growing more passionate by the second. A moment later the kiss was over then they both flopped onto the sofa.

What to say first? Oh, I know..."Do you remember the first time you visited this room?" Shepard has her feet on the table with Liara's head in her lap.

Liara comments,"Yes, I have fond memories of that visit. Why?"

Shepard just smiles. "Do you remember asking me if this all ends tomorrow what happens to us? Remember my answer?" Looking into Liara's blue eyes with her own blue eyes. Grinning from ear to ear.

"Yes, quite well actually." Liara gives Shepard a coy look. Knowing full well that Leia's answer was marriage, old age, and a lot of blue children.

"Well, now that the Reapers are defeated and after this mission, tour, boondoggle, or what ever the Council wants from us is over. What about us? What do you want?" still looking at T'Soni's blue freckled beautiful face. Leia runs her finger across Liara's left check then leans down to kiss her before she answers. Liara moans softly as her arm runs up Shepard's arm, neck, then into that soft red hair. What do I want? That's a silly question, Leia. What do I want? I have what I want, you.

EDI's announces,"Pardon the interruption, Shepard. Commander Alenko wishes to speak to you." Shepard thinks, what a mood killer. "Send him in, EDI."

Kaidan walks in to Shepard's quarters. "Sorry to interrupt, Commander. Dr. T'Soni, may I speak with you for a brief moment?"

"Of course, Kaidan" as she gets out of Shepard's lap. "What can I do for you?" Liara says smiling.

Kaidan moves his eyes from Liara to Shepard back to Liara again. I don't think I have ever seen Commander Shepard this relaxed in all the years I've known her. Seen her drunk a few times, but then what Alliance Marine doesn't do that from time to time? Dr. T'Soni what ever your doing to the Commander, please, keep it up. "Kaidan?"

"Oh sorry, Liara, I came up to ask if you have all of your stuff out of your old office? It looks like you did, but I just wanted to make sure before settling in." Kaidan cheeks went a little flush from the question.

"Yes, I have all my stuff out, enjoy the privacy." Liara smiles then goes back to laying in Shepard's lap.

"Commander, Joker informed me we would reach the relay in about forty-eight hours. We are traveling faster than before, but not at full power per both Tali's and EDI's recommendations." Kaidan noticed that Shepard didn't make a move to look at him. She just sat there on the couch, eyes closed, relaxing.

"Thank you, Kaidan. Any other messages you have for me, relay them through EDI. My quarters is off limits until we reach the Citadel. Dismissed" Leia didn't even open her eyes when issuing that command.

"Aye, aye Ma'am.", he then turns and leaves. Dammit, Kaidan, Shepard now probably thinks you were spying on her and Dr. T'Soni. Ok Just don't bother Shepard again until the Normandy reaches the Citadel.

"You alright, Kaidan?", the turian asked.

"Yea, I think so, Just annoyed Shepard some, I think.", Kaidan replies.

"Oh come on now, Kaidan. You knew going up there wasn't the smartest move. I plan on giving them both a wide berth until we reach the Citadel. And a bigger one once we get going on this tour thing the Council is making us do." Hearing those comments from Garrus made his head hurt. Not from his L2 implants, but from the foolishness of his actions. Kaidan retreats to his office to check for any messages. He hadn't done that since the battle ended or began for that matter.

"I do believe you asked me what about us? What do I want?" Liara moves from Shepard's lap to sitting up next to her. "All I have ever wanted, Commander Leia Shepard, I have already. You. After meeting your mother yesterday, I still want you. Outside of that, Leia, I honestly don't know what else I want. I do have one thing I want to ask you." Shepard just smiles then leans in to steal a kiss. "I want to check on Feron. I have sent messages, but have not heard back. I am worried about him, Leia." Shepard can see the worry in Liara's face when she talked about Feron and the Broker base orbiting the planet of Hagalaz.

"First chance we get, we will take the shuttle and look for him and I want to look also for the Migrant Fleet, so Tali will be coming with us. I hope that is alright with you. Tali has not heard anything about the Flotilla. She seems very shaken by the lack of news." After a long silence, Shepard continues, "I am starting to think this tour the Council wants us to go on is going to be hard for everyone to deal with. Being on Earth yesterday wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, but the devastation was very heartbreaking just the same. I don't know if I can deal with going from planet to planet seeing that same type of destruction for the next year.", pulling Liara tighter against her as she keeps talking. "For the first time in a long, long time, I'm scared. I'm not sure if this type of mission, I can pull off without breaking down. Getting shot at, I can handle with no problem, but despair is going to be hard. I'm not sure how to handle it.", Shepard's eyes start to water up some. Oh crap, now I am going to start crying. Steel yourself, Leia, steel yourself.

Liara cups Shepard's face with her soft hand, "It will be alright, Leia. We got through this together and with our friends in the decks below us. Everyone on this ship believes and completely trusts you with their lives." Oh that did it, no stopping the tears now. Shepard buries her face into T'Soni's shoulder and starts sobbing. Liara just holds Leia in her arms trying to comfort her. After a few minutes, Shepard sits back up, tears still running down her checks, but what does she care. Commander Shepard is with the one person besides her mother that she can let her guard down in front of and not worry about how it looks. The sweet doctor reaches over to the desk that has Shepard's old N7 helmet and grabs a tissue. She then proceeds to wipe the tears from the Commander's face.

Within a few minutes the steely Shepard was back. "Hungry?"

Liara was the first one off of the couch. She offers her hand out for Shepard to take. Which the Spectre does and pulls the asari into a tight embrace. "I love you, Dr. T'Soni." Shepard then leans closer and kisses the doctor.

The asari kisses back then says, "I love you too, Commander. And yes, I am hungry." Shepard then steps into the private bathroom in her quarters to wash her face. Liara follows and does the same. Leia goes and changes out of her N7 shorts and puts on a pair of black pants and her boots. Just as she finishes putting her boots on, Liara comes out of the bathroom.

"Liara, I want to say one thing before we head down to the crew deck. Once we are out of this living quarter, we must act professional in front of the crew. I know Liara will act professional without me saying so, maybe I said it more for myself. I know after today, our relationship will never be the same. And that is just how I want it.

"Of course, Commander." Liara grins and winks at Shepard then heads out the door.

All Shepard could do it tilt her head to one side and smile from ear to ear. I am the luckiest woman alive. Not only is she beautiful, intelligent, but supremely sexy. "EDI?"

EDI replies, "Yes, Shepard."

"I think this goes without saying, but I am going to say it anyway. What goes on in this room, stays here. I am sure most of the crew already knows that Liara moved in by Kaidan moving in to her office/living quarters, but I just wanted to let you know that. I consider you a crew member too," says Commander Shepard.

"Of course, Commander," was EDI's reply. Shepard then heads towards the elevator to get a bite to eat.

Shepard walks into the mess area and sees most of the crew there eating and talking among themselves. Smiling as she walks right up to the cook, "What smells good, Chief Boonen?"

"Gumbo, Commander. I hope you like, Ma'am." Service Chief Tomas Boonen was assigned to the Normandy after Shepard turned herself in for her actions in the Behak system and the death of over 300,000 batarians. He had always heard stories about the Hero standing in front of him, but never thought in a million years he would be serving under her.

The Commander inhales the aroma of the gumbo again, "I'm sure I will, Chief.". Smiles at the young man, turns walks to find a seat. Then notices that James Vega is sitting by himself, so Leia decides to join him. "Want some company, James?"

"Oh, sure, Commander. I would enjoy your company.", smiling at Shepard as she took the seat across the table from Vega.

"Thoughts on the mission the Council has asked us to do?", Shepard did want to know his opinion on this. James Vega was there at her trial on Earth. He seemed to be sympathetic to what was going on, but Shepard didn't think he completely understood any of it. Vega helped Shepard escape when the Reapers first attacked Earth during the middle of her trial. Too many members of the Alliance brass was just like the Citadel Council, they just didn't want to believe the galaxy was at risk and a war was coming. Remembering a comment, Anderson said to her on her mission to destroy the collectors, that he couldn't blame them for not wanting to believe it. The Reapers were grim, brutal stuff. It's over now, it's over now. Vega was still pondering the response to Shepard's question on his views. He is just a soldier and really isn't use to his superiors usually don't ask his views on missions until the debrief. Even then he rarely gave his opinion on what happened, he usually just gave the facts as he saw them.

He takes another bite of his chow and chews still thinking. Swallowing his food James Vega finally spoke, "I am not really sure, Ma'am, I think I understand the Councils intentions, but just seeing Earth all tore up, tore me up, Ma'am." He then looked back down at his food, taking another bite. Shepard just sat there eating, nodding in agreement with Vega's comments. Both Alliance Marines were thinking the same thing to themselves, FUBAR!